Toronto Police Service
www.tps.ca
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News Release
Public Advisory: Impersonation of Community Support Organizations
Broadcast time: 12:00 PM
Date: Tuesday, Jul 08, 2025
Unit: Financial Crimes
Case #: N/A
The Toronto Police Service is making the public aware of scammers impersonating community support organizations.
Complaints are being received involving scammers who are impersonating community outreach organizations and legal services designed to support new immigrants, with a particular focus on targeting members of the Chinese community.
It is reported that:
people are receiving unsolicited phone calls from individuals falsely claiming to be representatives from newcomer support agencies, immigration service organizations, and legal services
the caller claims to work for a settlement or support agency and tells the complainant they must provide personal information to verify their immigration status or to receive services
the caller sometimes demands money in order to continue with the complainant’s immigration process
people are also pressured to provide identity documents, banking information, and credit card numbers
To avoid becoming a victim of these scams, remember:
Legitimate organizations will never contact you spontaneously to request sensitive personal or financial information
They will never ask for your Unique Client Identifier (UCI) number, your banking information, or personal identity information such as your SIN, passport copy, or immigration documents over the phone
Do not share your personal details, banking information, or copies of identification with anyone contacting you unexpectedly
If you have shared personal or banking information, contact a credit reporting agency, such as TransUnion Canada or Equifax, to place a fraud alert and monitor your account
This scam is being reported across multiple jurisdictions. If you are contacted and asked for personal information or money, hang up immediately, verify the organization’s contact information through a trusted source, and call them directly
The Toronto Police Service urges everyone, especially newcomers to Canada, to remain vigilant. Scammers may use fear, urgency, and cultural familiarity to manipulate victims. Taking a moment to verify before acting can prevent serious financial and emotional harm
Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-2222, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), or at www.222tips.com.
Constable Ashley Visser for Detective David Coffey
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https://www.tps.ca/
